In present day, pagans take part in many different traditions. Many other cultures had some sort of winter solstice festival, which often included candles, and bonfires, to provide much needed light on this shortest day. Then, people set it aflame with a piece of last year's log (saved for this purpose). The log was decorated in seasonal greenery, such as branches. Yule logs were also burned in each house. They did this to invite nature spirits to join the celebration. Holly, ivy, evergreen trees, and mistletoe were used as decoration. The Celts' celebration of Yule included lighting a bonfire and drinking alcoholic spiced cider. One of the main parts of the celebration was giving each other gifts.
The festival was to honor the god of agriculture, Saturn. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, which was a week-long party, also with feasting and merrymaking. This meant that at Yule there was plenty of fresh meat available to feast upon. People did this so they wouldn't have to feed them during the winter, when food was scarce. Until the 1500s, most animals were killed around the solstice. Their celebration included feasting and merrymaking. The earliest known celebrations of Yule are in Norse culture. A painting by Antoine Callet of a Saturnalia celebration. After the solstice, the days start to get longer, and Yule celebrates the beginning of the return of the sun. This is because the shortest day and longest night occur on the solstice. Yule happens on the winter solstice, and it celebrates rebirth and renewal. As with many other pagan celebrations, it celebrates the changing of seasons.
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